If you’re a fan of crime dramas, but you’ve grown tired of the familiar rhythms of “Law & Order” and “CSI,” allow me to recommend — highly recommend — “Red Riding.” The trilogy of movies was originally filmed for British TV, and now it’s available here in the States on DVD and Blu-ray.
Besides being compelling examples of what you can do with a police thriller, they’re grim and gritty enough to make your average episode of “Law & Order” look like “iCarly.”
Based on a series of novels by David Peace (which were inspired by actual crimes), the “Red Riding” films take place in Yorkshire in northern England, and each focuses on a specific year.
Though they can be watched separately, viewing all three is the way to go. Plot threads are explained and explored, mysteries are solved, and characters make surprising, often unsettling return appearances.
“In the Year of Our Lord 1974” focuses on a young reporter (Andrew Garfield, the next Spider-Man) who spots a connection between a current missing child case and some girls who went missing years before. His investigation leads him into the nooks and crannies of Yorkshire life, including a deep pit of corruption at the local police station.
“In the Year of Our Lord 1980” picks up six years later and changes the focus to a detective (Paddy Considine) assigned to Yorkshire to investigate a series of prostitute murders by the “Yorkshire Ripper” that the local cops can’t — or won’t — solve. Considine learns one of the murders wasn’t committed by the Ripper, and finds himself staring down the same pit of corruption that Garfield fell into.
“In the Year of Our Lord 1983” returns to the missing children of the first film but focuses on many of the cops from the second. Mark Addy plays a lawyer hired to appeal the case of the man arrested back in 1974, and David Morrissey plays a detective who finally starts to question his own role in all that’s happened.
Tightly plotted, beautifully acted and imaginatively directed, the “Red Riding” trilogy is a rewarding viewing experience. An American remake is in the works, but trust me — it won’t top the original.
Contact Will Pfeifer at wpfeifer@rrstar.com or 815-987-1244. Read his blog at blogs.e-rockford.com/movie man.
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If you want to visit the 1970s, but you’d prefer to avoid the darkness and dread of “Red Riding,” get your groove on with several episodes of “Soul Train.”
